Fredericton Pickleball Club

Pickleball’s popularity is serving up gains for Fredericton’s community and economy

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in North America, and the City of Fredericton’s Pickleball Club is an enthusiastic player in the growth of this wildly addictive game. The sport is fostering a sense of community cohesion by bringing together people of diverse ages and backgrounds and having a positive impact on the local economy.

Established in 2015, the Fredericton Pickleball Club (FPC) started with 24 players and now boasts more than 400 members. The volunteer-driven Club has players of all ages ranging from 11-85 years.

“We have eight committees with over 80 volunteers assisting with operations, coaching and training programs, social events and running tournaments,” said Club President Ann Marie Wood-Seems. “Since we began, FPC has seen growth 10 times over – we currently run seven venues throughout the city and offer multiple sessions each day and clinics regularly to accommodate our growth.”

The FPC estimates that in 2023 and 2024, the club contributed approximately $110,000 to the local economy, through activities such as tournaments and rental payments. 

“We rent numerous facilities throughout the city, and in some cases our rent payments are important to the viability of these venues,” said Club Chair of Capital Projects, Louise Boldon. “In addition, for the past two years we have hosted the Provincial Pickleball Championships. This has meant more people coming to the city, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, and shopping local, boosting economic activity in this area.”

Recently, all three levels of government including ACOA celebrated the Grand Opening of six new outdoor pickleball courts at the Willie O’Ree Sports Complex on Fredericton’s north side. Wood-Seems said, “the new courts are a welcome addition to the community given how quickly the sport is growing in the capital.”

Picklers were excited about the new community infrastructure. The modern, accessible pickleball courts promise to be a significant addition to the region, adding vitality, boosting tourism, and providing a safe space for residents and visitors to stay active.

Volunteer board members were also thrilled with the Agency’s support -- from project development to the final approvals -- saying they couldn’t have done it without ACOA’s help.

“ACOA’s financial assistance has been critically important to our success. Building an athletic facility is an expensive venture. Although we had exceptional support from our members (just shy of $80,000), we needed much more,” said Boldon. “ACOA support speaks volumes. It's a mark of credibility, a stamp of approval, a show of faith. And it made it clear to our other supporters that we have the tools to be successful.”

With ACOA in their court, Boldon added “the FPC has the confidence to look toward the future with renewed enthusiasm as they pursue additional projects that will continue to grow the pickleball community in the region.”